Isaiah 11
KingCommentsIsaiah 11:1
The Wise in His Own Eyes and the Poor
This proverb again deals with a contrast between “the rich man” and “the poor”. In this verse, the rich man is “wise in his own eyes”. He is filled with self-conceit. He sees only himself and thinks he can judge everything. “But the poor who has understanding sees through him”; such a poor does not let himself be fooled. The poor sees the rich man’s faults; he sees right through his posturing.
Riches and wisdom do not often go together. Often the riches of the rich man blind him to his spiritual poverty. He believes that his money determines the value of his soul. He who has money can buy power and assert it. But one who has no money but understanding sees through him; he sees that he is only a conceited brat, who is not what he pretends to be.
Riches can lead to pride (1 Timothy 6:17). The wisdom of the righteous is not that he knows how to make as much money as possible and get rich as quickly as possible. His wisdom is that he sees the uncertainty of riches and does not put his trust in them (Matthew 6:19).
Isaiah 11:2
The Righteous or the Wicked in Control
The contrast in this verse is between the situation when “righteous” triumph and when “wicked” rise, i.e. come to power (Proverbs 11:10). The idea is that there is much confidence among the people when the righteous are exalted, when they are in power, when “there is great glory”. They have a positive effect among people. The righteous give luster to society. Society is prosperous. Everyone is happy and joyful because there is a just distribution of burdens and a fair sharing of benefits.
“But when the wicked rise”, when they come to power, that is the end of a peaceful, happy society. They have a negative effect among people. When the wicked become powerful, the streets become quiet, because people hide out of fear of them. We see these two opposite effects in the reign of Mordecai (Esther 8:17) and that of the Midianites (Judges 6:2).
Isaiah 11:3
Confessing and Fearing
The contrast in Proverbs 28:13 – indicated by the word “but” – is between “he who conceals his transgressions” and “he who confesses and forsakes them”. The former “will not prosper”, the latter “will find compassion”. This verse is unique in the book of Proverbs. It deals with the truth of forgiveness. Every part of this verse is essential to this truth. God’s forgiveness here is clearly linked to a true return to God to find with Him compassion instead of judgment (Psalms 32:1-5; 1 John 1:6-9).
A “ transgression” is the crossing of a boundary while the boundary is clearly marked. When David committed adultery with Bathsheba, transgressed, he crossed the boundary God has drawn around marriage. At first he “concealed” or covered that sin and remained silent. Then he did “not prosper”. His bones wasted away and he felt God’s hand pressing heavily on him. Then he made his sin known, confessed it and said: “My iniquity I did not hide” (Psalms 32:3-5). Then he could say that God surrounded him “with joyful songs of deliverance” (Psalms 32:7b).
The consequence of received compassion after confessing a sin is always fearing (Proverbs 28:14) for the sin. Deep awe of sin is the point of this verse, not so much deep awe of the LORD. The latter is always true, but that is not the emphasis here.
‘Fearing always’ is deep fear. It is fear of sin, as Joseph feared sin (Genesis 39:8-9), fear of the consequences that come from sin. It is the fear of falling (back) into sin, it is deep awe or deep fear of the power of sin. The point is that it is always, constantly there. This fear will certainly be there for the sin that we have had to confess (Proverbs 28:13). If we have this fear, we are “blessed”, happy, because then we will shun sin.
That we can think here of fear of sin is also evident from the contrast in the second line of verse. The verse contrasts the man who “fears always” with “he who hardens his heart”. It is inevitable that he who does the latter will “fall into calamity”. A deep awareness of sin is a special grace. He who has no fear of sin and hardens his heart against the warnings against it, falls into sin and plunges himself and also others into misery.
Isaiah 11:4
Confessing and Fearing
The contrast in Proverbs 28:13 – indicated by the word “but” – is between “he who conceals his transgressions” and “he who confesses and forsakes them”. The former “will not prosper”, the latter “will find compassion”. This verse is unique in the book of Proverbs. It deals with the truth of forgiveness. Every part of this verse is essential to this truth. God’s forgiveness here is clearly linked to a true return to God to find with Him compassion instead of judgment (Psalms 32:1-5; 1 John 1:6-9).
A “ transgression” is the crossing of a boundary while the boundary is clearly marked. When David committed adultery with Bathsheba, transgressed, he crossed the boundary God has drawn around marriage. At first he “concealed” or covered that sin and remained silent. Then he did “not prosper”. His bones wasted away and he felt God’s hand pressing heavily on him. Then he made his sin known, confessed it and said: “My iniquity I did not hide” (Psalms 32:3-5). Then he could say that God surrounded him “with joyful songs of deliverance” (Psalms 32:7b).
The consequence of received compassion after confessing a sin is always fearing (Proverbs 28:14) for the sin. Deep awe of sin is the point of this verse, not so much deep awe of the LORD. The latter is always true, but that is not the emphasis here.
‘Fearing always’ is deep fear. It is fear of sin, as Joseph feared sin (Genesis 39:8-9), fear of the consequences that come from sin. It is the fear of falling (back) into sin, it is deep awe or deep fear of the power of sin. The point is that it is always, constantly there. This fear will certainly be there for the sin that we have had to confess (Proverbs 28:13). If we have this fear, we are “blessed”, happy, because then we will shun sin.
That we can think here of fear of sin is also evident from the contrast in the second line of verse. The verse contrasts the man who “fears always” with “he who hardens his heart”. It is inevitable that he who does the latter will “fall into calamity”. A deep awareness of sin is a special grace. He who has no fear of sin and hardens his heart against the warnings against it, falls into sin and plunges himself and also others into misery.
Isaiah 11:5
The Tyrant
“A roaring lion and a rushing bear” are awe-inspiring beasts that know no compassion at all (Proverbs 28:15). They follow their instincts and hunt their prey. Once they have it, they tear it apart. These ferocious beasts that frighten and pursue their prey are the fitting symbol for “a wicked ruler over a poor people”. Political tyrants, like these beasts, are unaccountable, powerful, insensitive, cruel, bloodthirsty and tearing apart. The ruthless world rulers Daniel sees in a vision are also depicted as beasts (Daniel 7:1-8). The poor suffer under such tyrants because they cannot meet their demands (cf. Ecclesiastes 4:1).
In this “wicked” ruler we see a picture of the antichrist. This extremely cruel ruler will be accepted as leader by the unbelieving mass of the Jewish people after the rapture of the church. This wicked one will particularly target the believing remnant, which we see in “a poor people”. But they will be redeemed by the true David when He returns to earth. As David “killed both the lion and the bear” (1 Samuel 17:34-36), so the Lord Jesus will kill the wicked antichrist we see here in the lion and the bear.
A tyrant always “lacks understanding” (Proverbs 28:16). He is blinded by lust for power and maintains his power by his performance as “a great oppressor”. His lust for money determines his actions. He oppresses people, for example, by imposing heavy taxes. In contrast (“but”) is the righteous ruler. This is one who is not after his own gain (Exodus 18:21). Not only is he not after money, but is one who “hates unjust gain”. That ruler “will prolong [his] days”. In this we again see the Lord Jesus, Whose kingship will have no end (Luke 1:32-33).
Isaiah 11:6
The Tyrant
“A roaring lion and a rushing bear” are awe-inspiring beasts that know no compassion at all (Proverbs 28:15). They follow their instincts and hunt their prey. Once they have it, they tear it apart. These ferocious beasts that frighten and pursue their prey are the fitting symbol for “a wicked ruler over a poor people”. Political tyrants, like these beasts, are unaccountable, powerful, insensitive, cruel, bloodthirsty and tearing apart. The ruthless world rulers Daniel sees in a vision are also depicted as beasts (Daniel 7:1-8). The poor suffer under such tyrants because they cannot meet their demands (cf. Ecclesiastes 4:1).
In this “wicked” ruler we see a picture of the antichrist. This extremely cruel ruler will be accepted as leader by the unbelieving mass of the Jewish people after the rapture of the church. This wicked one will particularly target the believing remnant, which we see in “a poor people”. But they will be redeemed by the true David when He returns to earth. As David “killed both the lion and the bear” (1 Samuel 17:34-36), so the Lord Jesus will kill the wicked antichrist we see here in the lion and the bear.
A tyrant always “lacks understanding” (Proverbs 28:16). He is blinded by lust for power and maintains his power by his performance as “a great oppressor”. His lust for money determines his actions. He oppresses people, for example, by imposing heavy taxes. In contrast (“but”) is the righteous ruler. This is one who is not after his own gain (Exodus 18:21). Not only is he not after money, but is one who “hates unjust gain”. That ruler “will prolong [his] days”. In this we again see the Lord Jesus, Whose kingship will have no end (Luke 1:32-33).
Isaiah 11:7
The Guilt of Human Blood Leads to the Pit
The first line of verse reads literally: “A man tormented by the blood of a life.” This refers to a murderer on the run. He is “a man who is laden with the guilt”, meaning that he has a burdened mind or a guilty conscience. Even though his flight keeps him out of the hands of the avenger of blood, his conscience continues to indict him. Thus, after a shorter or longer time, his flight always ends in death. Nothing can be done about this. The brother murderer Cain understood this (Genesis 4:12-14).
The second line of verse says that it is not good to try to support a murderer who is on the run. One should not interfere with him, for justice must take its course (Genesis 9:6).
However, the gospel can be brought to him, so that through repentance and conversion he may have peace of mind for his conscience. Then he is still on his way to death, for he deserves the death penalty, but no longer as a fugitive from just judgment.
Isaiah 11:8
To Be Delivered or to Fall
He who walks blamelessly can be threatened by hostile people or struck by misfortune. He who walks blamelessly walks with God. There is no other way to walk blamelessly. Therefore, he knows that God is with him and will deliver him from misfortune. He who walks blamelessly walks safely.
The second line of verse begins with “but”, indicating that a contrast follows the previous line of verse. There are two contrasts in this verse. “He who walks blamelessly”, contrasts with “he who is crooked”, and “will be delivered”, contrasts with “will suddenly fall at once”. He who is crooked walks insincerely. He is dishonest and depraved and out to benefit himself at the expense of others. He does not take God into account. Therefore, there is no salvation for him when he comes into need. And his distress will come suddenly, he will fall all at once.
Isaiah 11:9
Results of Diligence and Faithfulness
In Proverbs 28:19, there are two kinds of plenty (Proverbs 12:11). There is plenty of food and poverty in plenty. “Have plenty of food” is the result of diligently doing your daily work, which is indicated here by “he who tills his land”. You don’t get your food by some miracle, but you have to work for it. If you do, you will have plenty of food.
The second line of verse again begins with “but”, indicating that a contrast follows. Opposed to the diligent worker is one who “follows empty [pursuits]”. One who does such a thing shows what he himself is like. He does not do anything, but profits from others. Every now and then he has something to eat, but in the end he has “poverty in plenty”. He who tills his land has his lunchbox, table and stomach full of bread. He who follows empty pursuits has his lunchbox, table and stomach full of emptiness.
The contrast is between the one who concentrates on his work, and the one who gets distracted and spends his time and energy on non-productive activities. Some relaxation and distraction are useful in their time, but too much of it leads to poverty, both material and spiritual.
Proverbs 28:20 follows on from Proverbs 28:19. The first line of verse talks about “a faithful man”, meaning, among other things, that he is diligent at work and faithful in it. He “will abound with blessings”. By contrast with the second line of verse, one of those numerous blessings seems to be that of sufficient income. He does not have to be eager to become rich; he is rich because of his faithfulness in his work. As a result, he is able to provide for his family. He is also able to give something away to the poor and, above all, to give God His share. He rejoices in God’s favor. Faithfulness determines success.
Opposed to a trustworthy man is “he who makes haste to be rich”, also translated as “he who is eager to get rich”. Such a person uses dishonest means to do so. We can conclude this from the words “will not go unpunished”. The idea is that the first is faithful to his obligations to God and to other people. The second, one who aspires to become rich, is doing so without working diligently for it, but by using deception. By doing so, he not only loads riches on himself, but more importantly, guilt. He will have to pay for his deceit and misconduct (1 Timothy 6:9-10).
Isaiah 11:10
Results of Diligence and Faithfulness
In Proverbs 28:19, there are two kinds of plenty (Proverbs 12:11). There is plenty of food and poverty in plenty. “Have plenty of food” is the result of diligently doing your daily work, which is indicated here by “he who tills his land”. You don’t get your food by some miracle, but you have to work for it. If you do, you will have plenty of food.
The second line of verse again begins with “but”, indicating that a contrast follows. Opposed to the diligent worker is one who “follows empty [pursuits]”. One who does such a thing shows what he himself is like. He does not do anything, but profits from others. Every now and then he has something to eat, but in the end he has “poverty in plenty”. He who tills his land has his lunchbox, table and stomach full of bread. He who follows empty pursuits has his lunchbox, table and stomach full of emptiness.
The contrast is between the one who concentrates on his work, and the one who gets distracted and spends his time and energy on non-productive activities. Some relaxation and distraction are useful in their time, but too much of it leads to poverty, both material and spiritual.
Proverbs 28:20 follows on from Proverbs 28:19. The first line of verse talks about “a faithful man”, meaning, among other things, that he is diligent at work and faithful in it. He “will abound with blessings”. By contrast with the second line of verse, one of those numerous blessings seems to be that of sufficient income. He does not have to be eager to become rich; he is rich because of his faithfulness in his work. As a result, he is able to provide for his family. He is also able to give something away to the poor and, above all, to give God His share. He rejoices in God’s favor. Faithfulness determines success.
Opposed to a trustworthy man is “he who makes haste to be rich”, also translated as “he who is eager to get rich”. Such a person uses dishonest means to do so. We can conclude this from the words “will not go unpunished”. The idea is that the first is faithful to his obligations to God and to other people. The second, one who aspires to become rich, is doing so without working diligently for it, but by using deception. By doing so, he not only loads riches on himself, but more importantly, guilt. He will have to pay for his deceit and misconduct (1 Timothy 6:9-10).
Isaiah 11:11
Partiality Leads to Transgression
Showing “partiality is not good”; it is not allowed (Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 1:17; Deuteronomy 16:19; Proverbs 18:5; Proverbs 24:23). Someone can be partial because it concerns someone distinguished, or someone rich, or a relative, or a friend. The second line of verse begins with the word “because”, indicating that reason follows what is said in the first line of verse. Partiality works an unjust assessment of a dispute. If a judge in a lawsuit, or one who has a dispute with another, is partial, he is corruptible. His motives are impure. Because of this, he already becomes a transgressor if someone offers him a piece of bread to induce him to make a false judgment. He is that easy to bribe.
We can apply this to preachers who preach to the church people in order to benefit themselves. Here the saying goes: “Whose bread you eat, whose word you speak.” People like to pay preachers who give sermons they like to hear. These preachers are partial; they choose the favor of people instead of the favor of God. They violate God’s Word and mutilate it for a piece of bread.
Isaiah 11:12
Greed Leads to Want
He who is out to increase possession and hastens to do so is so fixated on his possessions because he has “an evil eye” (cf. Proverbs 23:6). He only sees his own wealth, while the thought of granting anyone anything is reprehensible to him. Then he would be a thief of himself. No, never grant anyone anything. What you begrudge the other person, you might miss, so your possession does not grow.
He has an evil eye because his eye is focused on the riches of the world and not on God and His will. As a result, he does not know that God will punish him with “want” for his covetousness. He will not be able to hold on to his possessions but lose them as a result of what God brings upon him.
Isaiah 11:13
Rebuking Is Better Than Flattering
Pointing out someone’s character flaws or faulty actions or responsibility does not often garner immediate appreciation. It may be met with rejection or even anger. But over time, hurt will turn into appreciation. It will sink in that the rebuke was justified and that listening to it has brought blessing. This is not about meddling or a critical spirit, but instruction out of love for the purpose of helping.
A young believing woman who was in a fixed relationship with a young unbelieving man was pointed out the wrong of that. Scripture says that a believer should not go with an unbeliever under an unequal yoke (2 Corinthians 6:14). It is not pleasant to confront someone with it and not pleasant to be confronted with it. The sister accepted the rebuke. Then, by God’s grace, the man came to true, living faith in the Lord Jesus. They were both very grateful for the rebuke. Some time later they were married.
If this woman had been congratulated on her wrong connection, she might have felt flattered and supported in her choice at that time. But how dramatic would have been the development of the relationship then. A rebuke in love using God’s Word brings blessing to him who rebukes and to him who lets himself be rebuked.
He who flatters with his tongue plunges others and himself into misery. He who flatters is out for personal gain. In any case, he does not want to be disliked, which can happen with rebuke. If we want to please people, we will flatter; if we want to please God and gain favor from people, we will rebuke. God does not flatter man, but exhorts him to repent. Whoever listens to Him and does what He says will find His favor.
Isaiah 11:14
Covetousness
In Proverbs 28:24 it goes beyond failing to fulfill the duty to care for one’s parents (Proverbs 19:26). It speaks of one who “robs his father or his mother” and then even without any shame or guilt he dares to claim: “It is not a transgression.” Is it possible to sink any deeper? The person we are talking about here is someone in whom the most basic form of natural love has disappeared, that is love for parents. The company in which he finds himself is that “of a man who destroys”.
He who robs his parents, no matter how he tries to justify it, is a pernicious man. He anticipates what he will inherit at their death. He cannot wait for that. He wants to try to gain control of his parents’ property prematurely. To do so, he uses some form of psychological pressure or even physical force. His reasoning is that one day the inheritance will be his anyway. No one needs to accuse him of a transgression, he thinks.
Such a person is spiritually akin to the Pharisees who had also devised cunning methods for robbing father and mother (Matthew 15:1-9; Mark 7:6-13). They told people to say the word “Corban (that is to say, given [to God])” as a kind of magic spell over an amount of money that actually served to support the parents. This made that amount of money sacred and it was not a sin if it was given to them, the Pharisees. Thus these depraved people filled their own wallet. The Lord Jesus condemns them for this hypocrisy in sharp terms.
Proverbs 28:24 refers to the sphere of the family; Proverbs 28:25 refers to all of society. “An arrogant man” (Proverbs 28:25) is a great egotist and often ruthless. Wherever he goes, he “stirs up strife”. He does not consider anyone and thinks only of himself. His attitudes and actions cause strife because people do not tolerate him for long.
Against the turmoil that permeates the first line of verse, the second line of verse is an oasis of calm. The word “but” introduces the contrast. “He who trusts in the LORD” for temporal and eternal things, “will prosper”, literally “be made fat”. Trusting in the LORD nullifies arrogance. God provides for all the needs of those who trust in Him. That is the contentment that fills a person. For earthly conditions, satiation is being content with “food and clothing” (1 Timothy 6:8).
Isaiah 11:15
Covetousness
In Proverbs 28:24 it goes beyond failing to fulfill the duty to care for one’s parents (Proverbs 19:26). It speaks of one who “robs his father or his mother” and then even without any shame or guilt he dares to claim: “It is not a transgression.” Is it possible to sink any deeper? The person we are talking about here is someone in whom the most basic form of natural love has disappeared, that is love for parents. The company in which he finds himself is that “of a man who destroys”.
He who robs his parents, no matter how he tries to justify it, is a pernicious man. He anticipates what he will inherit at their death. He cannot wait for that. He wants to try to gain control of his parents’ property prematurely. To do so, he uses some form of psychological pressure or even physical force. His reasoning is that one day the inheritance will be his anyway. No one needs to accuse him of a transgression, he thinks.
Such a person is spiritually akin to the Pharisees who had also devised cunning methods for robbing father and mother (Matthew 15:1-9; Mark 7:6-13). They told people to say the word “Corban (that is to say, given [to God])” as a kind of magic spell over an amount of money that actually served to support the parents. This made that amount of money sacred and it was not a sin if it was given to them, the Pharisees. Thus these depraved people filled their own wallet. The Lord Jesus condemns them for this hypocrisy in sharp terms.
Proverbs 28:24 refers to the sphere of the family; Proverbs 28:25 refers to all of society. “An arrogant man” (Proverbs 28:25) is a great egotist and often ruthless. Wherever he goes, he “stirs up strife”. He does not consider anyone and thinks only of himself. His attitudes and actions cause strife because people do not tolerate him for long.
Against the turmoil that permeates the first line of verse, the second line of verse is an oasis of calm. The word “but” introduces the contrast. “He who trusts in the LORD” for temporal and eternal things, “will prosper”, literally “be made fat”. Trusting in the LORD nullifies arrogance. God provides for all the needs of those who trust in Him. That is the contentment that fills a person. For earthly conditions, satiation is being content with “food and clothing” (1 Timothy 6:8).
Isaiah 11:16
Self-Confidence or Walking Wisely
A characteristic of “a fool” is that he “trusts in his own heart”. He has no idea that a man’s heart, including his own, is deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9). Full of self-importance, he counts on the fact that what his heart prompts him to do will benefit him the most. Therefore, he follows the promptings of his own foolish heart, without consulting anyone else, much less God. This is not necessary, for after all, he himself knows what is best and he alone knows it. This verse condemns and rebukes exhortations such as ‘you should simply follow your heart’ or ‘do what your heart tells you to do’.
The word “but” indicates that a contrast follows with the fool who trusts in his own heart. Opposed to this fool is “he who walks wisely”. To such a person God looks with favor, for he walks according to His Word and listens to its teaching. As a result, he escapes the folly of following the promptings of his own heart. It will preserve him from the disasters and plagues that are the inevitable part of the fool. He is delivered from them, while the fool perishes in them.